Williford jury hears of Bible studies, rape

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June 3, 2012 9:00:00 PM PDT

RALEIGH --

On Monday, a jury charged with deciding Jason Williford's fate, either life behind bars or the death penalty, heard testimony that depicted the convicted killer as a prodigal son, a Bible study leader, and a violent ex-boyfriend.

Williford was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder in the 2010 killing of N.C. State Board of Education member Kathy Taft. He was also found guilty of first-degree rape and breaking and entering.

The same jury in the sentencing hearing believed Williford attacked Taft inside a home on Raleigh's Cartier Lane sometime between the late night hours of March 5 or the early morning hours of March 6, 2010. She died at WakeMed a few days later.

On the night Taft was attacked, she and her sister were house-sitting while Taft recovered from plastic surgery. According to testimony from the medical examiner, Taft had been sexually assaulted. Prosecutors said Williford hit her in the head several times with a rock.

A reluctant witness

Williford's former girlfriend took the stand in his sentencing hearing after begging to be kept out of the murder trial. Mary Josephine "Jo" James made it known that before the trial, she had been reluctant to be in the same room with Williford.

She testified that throughout the course of the couple's three year relationship, there were instances where he pushed, shoved and hit her. James also said Williford forced her to have intercourse on more than one occasion.

During the trial, Jason Williford's ex-wife Jessica Foote claimed that five days prior to Taft's attack, Williford attempted to rape her. She said Williford also pushed her down and pinned her arms behind her back. After a struggle, Williford relented and Foote never reported the incident to the police.

However, James testified that she filed a protective order against Williford in 2005 following a violent incident that happened shortly after the birth of her son.

While in the hospital, she had confronted Williford about calls to escort services dialed from his cell phone.

"He threw me into the door, and pulled me down to the floor by my hair, kicked me a few times, and then threw some flowers on me, and spit on me," she said.

She said a nurse intervened and Williford was escorted out of the hospital by security.

On cross-examination, Williford's defense attorney hammered James about her character, noting that she led Williford to believe he was the father of her son even though she knew there was a 50/50 chance. Williford was not the father.

He also pointed out her convictions for stealing from an employer and a cocaine addiction.

A new beginning for father and son

Next, the jury heard from Williford's father.

Keith Williford testified that he noticed that while his son was growing up he had pent up emotions.

Several times, he said, he tried to communicate with his son only to have him respond with "you wouldn't understand."

Williford's father said about six years prior to Taft's murder, his son tried to open up to him but spoke in such "abstract terms" that he couldn't understand him.

Williford testified that the immediate family's relationship was strained for several years and that his son, who dropped out of high school and struggled to hold down jobs in his adult life, had been kicked out of the family home several times.

In 2010, Williford was a struggling musician who had recently lost his job at The Mellow Mushroom in Raleigh.

His father recalled a time when he and his son went to bluegrass artist Bela Fleck's concert in Raleigh. Williford was able to meet and spend time with Fleck's bassist Victor Wooten.

"He showed Jason how to play 'Amazing Grace' on the bass," said Williford and mentioned that the encounter inspired his son to pursue music as a career.

"He was searching for something he liked, had a passion for."

During Monday's hearing, the defense played for the jury music that was written and performed by Williford.

It was the first time the jury heard from Williford, who did not testify during his trial.